Expectations are high for the Longhorns, with everything seemingly set in place for a great 2020 season. With brand new coordinators hired of both sides of the ball, a reshaped coaching staff is in place to hopefully make good use of all the talent Texas has on the roster.
Coming off a poor 2019 season, this season is a pivotal season for the program. Needing a successful year in the fourth year of Tom Herman, the level of accomplishments like a Big 12 championship appearance and an NY6 Bowl game need to become reality. With all of the experience coming back, it has a great opportunity to finally happen for Texas.
Here are 10 predictions for the Longhorns in the 2020 football season.
Texas will go 2-0 against Oklahoma and LSU
With an early-season matchup against the Tigers, Death Valley will be rocking for the second year of the home and home series. However, losing most of their production on both sides of the ball plus a chunk of their coaching staff and a national championship hangover is in store for LSU. Mix in how well Tom Herman plays in big games and the Longhorns will edge out a win in Baton Rouge.
As for the Red River Shootout, the Sooners will be starting a quarterback who has never taken meaningful snaps in the rivalry game. With the experience Texas is bringing back, they will have the advantage going into this year’s game in Dallas. Herman and Ehlinger have proven they can win the game before and they’ll do it again this season.
Caden Sterns has a bounce-back season
Having an outstanding freshman season in 2018, Sterns spent most of 2019 injured and unable to make a real impact on the team. Only playing in nine games, he missed important games like Oklahoma and TCU, causing the Texas defense to really struggle. Expected to be fully healthy for the 2020 season, Sterns should be able to return to the level he is used to playing at. Having the ability to be the best player in the secondary, Sterns will be a key role to the defense next season.
At Oklahoma State will determine a Big 12 Championship spot
In a weird scheduling move by the Big 12, Texas will end their season Thanksgiving weekend on the road against Oklahoma State. Much like the Longhorns, the Cowboys have a ton of production coming back next season and are expected to compete at the top of the Big 12. Last season, their game in Austin set the tone for how the conference would shake out. This season, it will be a crucial matchup that could have championship implications. What would make it even more interesting is if Texas and OSU could play each other two weekends in a row. Either way, the season finale should have higher stakes than usual in 2020.